Artie Lurie

Libertarian for Florida House, District 90

Candidate questionnaire from the Sun Sentinel

September 20, 2016

I received a questionnaire from the Editorial Board of the Sun Sentinel newspaper ahead of my interview so they can determine who they will endorse. Here is a copy of the questionnaire with my answers.

Issues:
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running because I want people to know that there is an alternative to what we’ve been getting forced upon us by our state government. That our government is way too big, and through the benefits of liberty, we can have much smaller, and less intrusive government than what we have today.
What is your vision?
I believe that it is possible to have a state government that isn't involved in every aspect of our lives. We need to focus on getting government out of all the areas where it has made such a complete mess and wasted our tax dollars. I will support any legislation that will achieve this goal. I believe we can have a state government that doesn't collect one dime in sales tax or corporate tax, and would still be able to perform the functions outlined in the constitution, so we can keep the money we earn and be able to live our lives according to one’s own values.
Briefly, share your views on these issues:
● The performance of Gov. Rick Scott -
He promises cutting taxes while endorsing bigger government every year since he’s been in office.
● The challenges facing Florida’s economy -
The threat of increasing regulations and higher taxes cripple the growth of businesses and the pocketbooks of Floridians.
● The top issue in public (government controlled) education -
The only way to make it possible for every child to get a good education is to get the politicians out of the schooling business and put it back in the hands of parents and teachers. Let's repeal the sales tax and cut property taxes in half so parents can use the money for the school they choose.
● Do you believe government closest to the people works best, or are contentious statewide issues best handled via state preemption bills?
I believe in the motto “That government is best which governs least.”
● What can be done to curb the rising cost of property insurance? Government intrusion in the insurance business has caused the cost of insurance to skyrocket to a point where some people can’t even afford to get it. Repealing state insurance laws will make it much more affordable and a lot more accessible to Floridians.

● What do you see as the next step in health care reform?

The only way we can get affordable and accessible healthcare is by getting the government completely out of healthcare.

● What should be done about the problems in our prisons?

Our prisons are overflowing with people who committed non-violent drug offenses and other victimless crimes, while the violent criminals get off with plea bargains and early releases. Let’s put an end to the drug war and other victimless crimes so we can keep the real criminals behind bars.

● Do you support full funding for Enterprise Florida?

No. Enterprise Florida is just another big government boondoggle forcing taxpayers to pay for a program where the politicians can dole out money to the people with the most political influence. Where the only benefits are to the politicians and not the taxpayers.

● What role should state government play in addressing the violence in our cities, with the shootings of police officers and police shootings of black men?

The government should start by upholding the constitutional rights of all Floridians and repealing all of the unnecessary victimless crimes which are the pretext for all encounters which ultimately leads to unnecessary violence.

● What should be done about the damage caused by releases from Lake Okeechobee and who should take the lead?

The Government has proven time and again that it cannot keep the environment clean. The government is the biggest polluter of our rivers, lakes and streams. The lake should be sold or placed into private interests who would be much more accountable to consumers and ensure that it stays clean without using taxpayers money.

● In Florida, there is a presumption of government openness, meaning that all records and meetings are presumed open to the public absent a specific statutory exemption. During the 2016 legislative session, an exemption for trade secrets was expanded to include financial information, including the amount government pays its contractors. Do you think the amount of money government pays its contractors should be secret? Are there government records currently subject to disclosure that you believe should be exempt?

Transparency should be paramount in our government. The big government politicians forget that they are taking money from the taxpayers, and the taxpayers have a right to know where the money is being spent.

● Do you believe the climate is changing? If so, what should the state do now?

I do not believe that the climate is changing in a significant way where the politicians can come up with any program that will work to solve it.

● Do you support a controlled expansion of casino gambling? I do not believe that a company should need to get a permission slip from the government in order to open a casino. Free people should be allowed to conduct business in any way they choose as long as they don’t cause harm to someone else.

● Do you support the medical marijuana amendment? Yes. Medical marijuana is a step in the right direction. But it doesn’t change the fact that the drug war is a complete failure and we should take steps to end drug prohibition in Florida.

● Do you believe reforms are needed in the area of gun control? Absolutely not. I believe that Gun control laws do the exact opposite of the very thing it is trying to accomplish, to keep people safe! Gun regulations disarm innocent civilians while doing nothing to prevent the violent criminals from committing atrocities and mass shootings.

● Do you believe reforms are needed around the issue of abortion? I do not believe that the government should have the authority to decide who should live or die, and that goes for the unborn as well.

● Do you support red-light cameras? No. Red light cameras are a scam to make profit for the government under the guise of safety. Red light cameras are making intersections less safe, and the state laws governing their use, in my opinion, are unconstitutional.

● Do you support fracking? Any type of method to extract natural resources on private property should not be the concern of politicians. Most of the problems with the issue of fracking occur on government controlled land. Let’s get the government out the land owning business.

The campaign:

Is there anything you want us to know about your opponent?

My opponent does not represent the people that live in our district. She says she claims to represent our values, but in reality represents only her own agenda and of the special interests who support making government bigger and more intrusive into our lives. I resent the fact she is skirting election laws by renting an apartment in the district to get on the ballot.

Why should voters vote for you?

As a Libertarian, I am committed to the principles of freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government. Floridians are sick to death of supporting the waste and corruption going on in Tallahassee at the expense of their own families. It's time to elect a candidate who believes in your freedom and is committed to drastically reduce the size of our state government.